NPC Code: Red Riding Hood

Chapter 149 - The Kraken (5)

"I think I need to drink some potions... But I doubt I could move my legs after that…," Wolf murmured, while forcing himself to stand from the ground. "Embarrassingly as it is, my character can't deal a blow against that monster…. or against Alice. Challenge me against players, and I could defeat them. But against her…. I might lose, especially with this smurf account."

As soon as Okami finished his speech, he coughed out blood, which lowered his health points. He would not die because of blood loss, since Okami was still an overpowered player. But despite those cheats that he had, that player cannot handle the pet Alice had created.

I carried Okami in my arms and dodged the incoming attacks of the Kraken. Those blitzes made me realise I cannot fight the Kraken alone while transporting Okami to safety. So I had to retreat for now and placed Okami in Match and Ryoshi's hands, far away from the Kraken's sight.

"Red…. you're the only one who could stop that thing…. I-I need for five minutes before I could join your battle," Okami suggested, while gazing at the Kraken.

"Can't we just stay behind and plan again? We can't fight that Kraken like this!" I answered.

"THERE'S NO TIME!" Okami shouted, stopping all my words from flowing out of my mouth. "You need to stop it, Red. Even if I regain my strength, we cannot beat that Kraken using my claws. We need lightning!"

Okami was right when he said those words. We can't just use the electric arrows and amplify our powers with that element. And since I was the only one who could theoretically control and redirect electricity using my arms.

But that was our problem…. I cannot do it even though I tried.

"Red…." Match called out, while firing her magical blaze at multiple enemies. "I know you can do it! There's nothing you could do, since you're my big sister!"

I did not know what to reply to that line after I lost all hope. But now that Match motivated me, there was no way for me to give up right now.

A smirk emerged from my mouth as I replied to the magical girl. "Of course, Match…. Of course. Anything for you, my little sister!"

Match did not replace my deceased sister, Clementine. Match also became my sister, who travelled with me throughout this trip, taking down the unlawful game developers behind their curtains. Since the two of us shared the same pain, we wanted to restore the balance of this world.

I launched myself high above the ground and glared at the dragon-sized monster. But the Kraken had an original plan as it attacked me with the rest of the tentacles, with the rest of its limbs popping underwater. I, who already knew the pattern of this monster's attack, dodged it with ease. There was no room for me to make a mistake, so I easily landed at the tentacle's surface.

However, this was just the start of our battle. I still needed to wait for the lightning and redirect it against the Kraken. It would always be an ideal event if I could control electricity and use that element afterwards.

But it was an obnoxious wish that could lead me to my downfall.

"Come on, you ugly bastard. Show me what you're made of!" I shouted, attracting the Kraken's attention.

That monster took the bait and launched its violent attacks. It tried sweeping me from the surface, using its other tentacles hiding behind its back. But the speed of this monster was nothing compared to all the opponents I faced, including Okami.

But the real thing came to me as the clouds above the sky drifted to my figure. Blaring sounds echoed throughout the battlefield, which came from those thunderbolts shooting from the sky. Those lightning bolts were my only ticket to win this fight.

So I had to give it my all, or else we would all die from the Kraken.

After evading a few more tentacles from the Kraken, I reached my head and bounced my way above the clouds. I somersaulted and hovered through the windy sky, just below the gurgling dark clouds.

"Come on, lightning…. Hit me!" I dared, and narrowed my eyes.

I reached out my hand forward and waited for the lightning strike! Those limbs chasing my behind won't have the chance to get my feet, since I was already flying in mid-air.

Upon waiting for a few seconds, the clouds granted my wish and zapped me with everything they had. I extended my hands while reaching out to the heavens above, hoping that I could do this right. I wanted to close my eyes, but I needed to see this electric current.

And that... the time finally came and challenged me.

As soon as the sparks electrified my body, I panicked and jerked at my side. The lightning bolt touched my hand and even entered my arcane nerves. But there was some unforeseen force that kept me at bay.

My eyes sparkled like a million stars and illuminated me in this heated battle. Although the damage of the electrifying currents drained my health points, it was not enough to kill me. That thundershock did not even paralyze any parts of my body. But it attacked me as if it was a beam of some sort.

I fell on the deck and rolled to the side, while gripping my abdomen from the unbearable pain. I could hardly breathe air from my lungs thanks to the damage I received from the clouds. But upon witnessing everyone's eyes, I picked myself back from the ground and leered at the Kraken.

"AGAIN!" I shouted, while dragging my numbed feet towards the sea creature.

My teammates tried yelling for my name, but Wolf stopped them. He raised his hand and gestured to Match and Ryoshi to perform my job.

He finally found the strength Wolf had been looking for and went behind me. Our positions got reversed.

Wolf became my shadow, and I was the one leading the attack.

I charged straight at the Kraken for the second time and avoided its attacks. But I did not need to focus on those tentacles, thanks to Okami protecting my back. If he were not there for me, I would have struggled to charge by now.

"GO, RED! I WILL HANDLE THESE! JUST GO!" Okami said, while his body got screwed by those pesky tentacles.

Those limbs, which came from the Kraken, launched themselves upwards and attacked Okami. However, that player defended my rear and swiped them off using his claws. His barrage of attacks bought me some time to arrive on top of the Kraken's head.

The scene repeated itself once more…. I somersaulted my way and hovered at the sky with nothing on me but my penitent's blade. However, that dagger became useless against this Kraken. So I had to rely on myself and my courage charging against the darkened clouds.

The storm finally sent its devastating lightning strike onto me, hoping that it could kill my figure. I, who feared repeating my mistakes, closed my eyes.

"I don't want to die…."

Those were the words that escaped my mouth. Although dying would mean I would see Clementine again, something pulled my leg. It tugged it so hard that it made me open my eyes from fear.

Every cell inside my body shivered. But despite that frightening feeling, my heart remained calm as the willow leaves.

Upon looking below, I saw Clementine's face pushing my feet upward. There was no way Clementine would still be alive in this world…. not unless I would die, eventually.

"Big sis! Don't give up, okay! I'll push you forward!" Clementine said, while maintaining that smile on her face. "If you give up now, you'll meet me sooner than later!"

"Aren't you dead! C-Can I meet you again!"

Time moved slower in this realm, considering that I could see a ghost. So we had the luxury of exchanging words right now…

But that moment would soon end as Clementine shifted her face.

"I'm already dead, Red! And you know that! But I know you won't forget me…. I know you have a good heart, Red! I believe in you! Don't ever change your heart, even if I'm dead!"

After saying her fill, Clementine slowly vanished before me. Her body disintegrated into nothingness while saying her ultimate goodbye for me.

I watched Clementine die for the second time, breaking my already shattered heart. But that occurrence kindled the flames inside my heart, motivating me to complete this task.

"This is for you, Clementine!" I shouted, and finally opened my eyes.

Upon breaking free from that realm, the lightning strike before me became sluggish like a turtle! It surprised me that the electric current turned crystal in my eyes as it went through me like a lightning rod. As soon as the thunder went inside my body, my system announced something that helped me redirect this lightning.

[Congratulations, Red! You have unlocked the lightning element!]